WET Trustees

Nick Kirk (Chair) – Nick’s family has lived and worked near Tai Tapu for over 100 years. Nick received his PhD in environmental policy from Lincoln University, research which helped him reconnect with the lake and the local area. Nick now works for Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research in Lincoln and maintains a strong interest in reviving interest in the Lake.

Grant Bonniface (Treasurer) – Grant’s family have been involved with the Lake and surrounds for over 100 years. His family farm borders the Lake between the LII and Selwyn Rivers and they have a bach at Selwyn Huts. Much of Grant’s childhood was spent at the Selwyn Huts accessing the Lake and its tributary rivers for fishing, shooting, swimming and boating. He has continued to have an interest in the intrinsic values associated with the Lake environment. This interest has led Grant to commence plantings along the Lake margin.

Kelvin Coe (Deputy Chair) – Kelvin’s family have farmed the Lake edge for several generations, and were some of the original European settlers. Kelvin is Mayor of Selwyn District, past president and treasurer of North Canterbury Federated Farmers, and a founding member of Selwyn Sustainable Agricultural Society.

Hamish Rennie – Hamish grew up on the family farm opposite the Selwyn Huts and spent many hours on or in the river, Lake and margins. He returned to Ellesmere in 2007 after 20 years working in central government departments and Waikato University. An Associate Professor at Lincoln University in environmental planning, he is also tending a small orchard established on land owned on the Selwyn. Hamish acted as Chair during the COVID period and we thank him for his contribution.

Ken Hughey – Ken is a Professor at Lincoln University (Environmental Management Group), DOC’s Chief Science Advisor, and has had a long research, fishing and ecological association with the Lake throughout his career. Ken has recently retired as Chief Science Advisor.

John Lay – An arable farmer in the lake catchment for 45 years, John also lectured at Lincoln University for 20 of those years and retired in 2004 from the position of Director of the Applied Management and Computing Division. John is now the Executive Chairman of an international company producing software for Agriculture.

Murray Stephens – Murray farms at Irwell and is the third generation on the property known as Waipuna, with 8 kms of stream boundary with the Irwell River. For over 50 years Murray has had a connection with the Lake and in his younger days was heavily involved with the Ellesmere Aquatic Club at the Lakeside Domain. Murray was also a founding member of the Selwyn Sustainable Agricultural Society.

Lynette Harris – Lynette’s family farmed on the banks of the Ararira/LII river by Yarrs Lagoon/Tarerekautuku since the early 1900’s.Both her father and grandfather were involved in the Lake Ellesmere Domain board, later known as The Springston South Domain Board. After returning from living and working overseas to the family dry farm at Ellesmere Lynette was keen to carry on with her interest in the Lake and the tributary rivers Ararira/LII and Selwyn/Waikirikiri . She has fond memories of the fauna and bird life of her youth and the recreational fishing that went on at their property and the surrounding Lake Ellesmere/Te Waihora.

WET Secretary – This role is currently being held by Lynette Harris.

We farewell Trustee Robnyn Duncan who recently resigned we wish her well and thank her for the wonderful work she has done for the Trust. We would also like to acknowledge Peter Chamberlain a founding member of the Trust. Peter has stepped down after many years of service we wish him all the best.

We farewell Brett Painter who recently resigned we wish him well and thank him for the wonderful work he has done for the Trust.

Ray Maw (Chair) – Ray has resigned as Chair. We wish him well in his retirement and thank him for his huge contribution to the Trust.

Dr Golda Varona has recently resigned as Trustee – her work commitments taking her to Wellington. We valued her time with the Trust.

After nearly 20 years of service we say farewell to John Lay. John has been a very involved trustee over the years and his contribution was vital to the Trust. We wish him well.

Last updated April 2024